Corrections and clarifications

When compiling our syllabuses, we make every effort to make sure that the information they contain is accurate and up to date. However, corrections are sometimes necessary after the syllabuses have been issued, for example, where publisher information has changed.

A second edition of the ARSM syllabus has been published (February 2017). No changes have been made to any of the exam requirements but an appendix has been added giving details of the regulation of our qualifications and confirming that the ARSM has been placed at Level 4 in the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework.

Scale & arpeggio speeds for bowed strings

In the new ABRSM books of scales and arpeggios for Bowed Strings (published July 2011), minimum speeds are suggested for all requirements for the very first time.

This comes in response to requests from many teachers who found the former guidance – that the speeds should be dictated by the bowing – too vague. By publishing the tempi, we bring Bowed Strings into line with all the other ABRSM syllabuses.

After publication of the books, we’ve realized that we overestimated the speeds for the Grade 8 double-stop scales (in parallel) for Violin, Viola and Cello. These will be corrected to more moderate speeds at the next reprint of the books, as follows:

Violin: crotchet = 72 (down from 92)

Viola: crotchet = 66 (down from 84)

Cello: crotchet = 60 (down from 72)

Please note that all the speeds published in our scale books are given as suggested minimums only, and many candidates will be comfortable playing the requirements at faster speeds. Examiners will continue to assess the technical work as they have done previously, and so these changes do not alter any aspect of assessment in the actual exams.

Unfortunately there is an error in the 2018–2021 Grade 5 Clarinet Exam Pieces and Clarinet Exam Pack publications. The first time bar in the solo clarinet part is incorrectly marked and should be extended to include b. 31. The first and second time bars are correctly marked in the score. This error will be corrected at the next reprint for these publications.

Grade 5, C7 C. Rose

Candidates must play this piece from the cited edition in the syllabus, More Graded Studies for Clarinet, Book 1.

Grade 6, C6 Lange

Candidates playing this piece from More Graded Studies for Clarinet, Book 2 should observe the repeat in the exam.

Grade 8, C1 Abreu

There is a discrepancy between the tempo marked on the score for this piece and the tempo played in the recording. Candidates may choose to follow either tempo in the exam and will not be penalised for following one tempo over the other.

This piece is also available in Répertoire progressif, Vol. 1 (Les Productions d'Oz) and is listed as No. 1 (Anon, ‘Schiarrazula Marrazula’). Candidates are welcome to use this edition in the exam if they wish.

Grade 5, A10 Visée

Please note that the edition UE11322 should be used in the exam. UE34480 is not suitable for exam use.

Grade 8, A6 M. Ponce

The edition listed in the syllabus omits the Dal Segno sign and the 1st and 2nd time bar numbers, which are as follows:

Bars 28 & 45 are 1st time barsBars 29 & 46 are 2nd time bars

To clarify, the piece should be played without repeats in the exam. At the end of the piece candidates should return to the beginning of bar 1 and play until the ‘Fin.’ at bar 29.

All exam requirements are the same as in the preceding Harp syllabus (from 2005), apart from seven pieces which we have replaced. Candidates who have been preparing any of the replaced pieces can continue to play them in exams worldwide until 31 December 2019. The pieces affected are:

ABRSM has reluctantly had to remove this piece from the 2013 reprint of Jazz Alto Sax Tunes, Level/Grade 3 and Jazz Tenor Sax Tunes, Level/Grade 3 since, despite many efforts, permission has not been obtained from the copyright owner to reproduce it for this reprint. However, the piece still remains on the syllabus so candidates who have older editions of the publication are welcome to play this piece in their exam.

ABRSM has reluctantly had to remove this piece from the 2013 reprint of Jazz Real Book Bb edition since, despite many efforts, permission has not been obtained from the copyright owner to reproduce it for this reprint. However, the piece still remains on the syllabus so candidates who have older editions of the publication are welcome to play this piece in their exam.

Please note that from 1 January 2018, a change to the graded Singing syllabus (which requires Grade 6–8 candidates to prepare 3 songs, instead of 4) will also be reflected in the DipABRSM and LRSM Teaching Skills Viva Voce demonstration requirements, as follows:

Candidates taking DipABRSM Principles of Instrumental/Vocal Teaching (Singing) will be required to prepare three Grade 6 songs, chosen from any three of the five lists

Candidates taking LRSM Instrumental/Vocal Teaching (Singing) will be required to prepare three Grade 8 songs, chosen from any three of the five lists

There will be an overlap period in place for candidates to prepare songs from the 2009–2017 Singing syllabus until 31 December 2018. However, during that period, DipABRSM and LRSM candidates wishing to demonstrate songs from the previous syllabus should only prepare three songs, and are free to choose these from any three of the four old lists.

These changes do not affect FRSM Music Education (Singing), and all other DipABRSM and LRSM Teaching requirements remain unchanged.

The piece set on the syllabus is the 10-bar chorale version only (without figured bass realization). In addition to the syllabus-cited OUP publication, this 10-bar version is also available in Barenreiter Vol. 3 (BA5173) and Breitkopf & Hartel Vol. 9 (EB6589) (but not in the Peters complete Bach editions).

Grade 5, A1, Grade 6, A2 and Grade 7, A1 Bach

A revised edition of the Bärenreiter publication is now available (BA5261).

Grade 6, A1 and Grade 7, A3 Bach

A revised edition of the Bärenreiter publication is now available (BA5266).

As of 1 June 2017, candidates at Grades 6–8 may bring a page-turner to assist with any awkward page-turns in their music; prior permission from ABRSM is no longer required. Accompanists for Grade 6–8 exams are also welcome to bring a page-turner. The Exam Regulations and syllabus statements regarding page-turners will be updated to reflect this change as they are re-issued. Examiners, local representatives and stewards have been informed.

This piece is also available on P. 24 from Note Book for Nannerl (Schott ED 3772).

Grade 4, A4 Clementi

The title of the Clementi publication listed in the syllabus booklet (Clementi: Sonatinas, Op. 36, 37, 38) is incorrect and the correct title is Clementi Sonatinas, Op. 36 & 4.

Grade 5, C1 Tan Dun

Unfortunately on the Piano Exam Pieces CD there is an error in the recording of this piece, affecting the right-hand chords in bb. 35–37 and 40–41. Candidates should play the music as notated. However, the audio download has been corrected and can be purchased from our audio download shop.

Grade 8, C3 Peixun Chen

As a result of copyright and editorial constraints there is a discrepancy between the tempo marked on the score for this piece and the tempo played in the recording. Candidates may choose to follow either tempo in the exam – this is left to the candidate’s discretion. Our examiners are aware of this and candidates will not be penalised for following one tempo over the other.

Please note that ‘The Ploughboy’ also features in Folk Roots for Alto Saxophone (Boosey & Hawkes) as a traditional melody, arranged by Davies. This is the same piece and Alto or Baritone Saxophone candidates are welcome to use this publication if they wish in the exam.

Candidates singing this piece from The ABRSM Songbook Plus, Grade 1 should omit the repeat in the exam.

Grade 2, C3 Brown & Freed

Candidates singing this piece from The ABRSM Songbook Plus, Grade 2 should sing the chorus only in the exam.

Grade 3, B3 Beethoven

Unfortunately there is an error in the current paper copy of the syllabus. Candidates singing this piece from The ABRSM Songbook Plus, Grade 3 should only sing verses 1 & 6 in the exam.

Grade 4, C1 Arlen & Harburg

In the exam a suitable introduction should be included for candidates using any of the following publications: the vocal selections of The Wizard of Oz, The Harold Arlen Songbook, Stage & Screen – The Black Book or The ABRSM Songbook Plus, Grade 4 .

Grade 4, C10 Fain & Webster

In the exam a suitable introduction should be included for candidates using either Stage & Screen – The White Book or The ABRSM Songbook Plus, Grade 4.

Grade 6, E9 G. & I. Gershwin

For the exam candidates are only required to sing the song through once and are welcome to sing either lyric provided.

Grade 7, E28 Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Anthology (revised edition) is now out of print.

Grade 8, E2 L. Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim

In the exam candidates should sing the extended version.

Grade 8, E20 Andrew Lloyd Webber & David Zippel

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Anthology (revised edition) is now out of print.

Grade 8, E21 Andrew Lloyd Webber & Glenn Slater

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Anthology (revised edition) is now out of print. Alternatively, this piece is available in Classical Crossover for Singers (Hal Leonard).

Unfortunately there is an error in the Treble Recorder Scales & Arpeggios, Grades 6–8 publication. The penultimate note should be an A (second space), not an E. This will be corrected at the next reprint of the book.

This amendment will also be clarified on page 14 of any future reprints of the syllabus booklet.

Grade 6, B10 and Grade 7, B9 Milford

The cited publication is currently published by Peacock Press, however the publisher will change in May 2018 to OUP.

The Tuba syllabus may be offered on an Eb, F, Bb or C tuba. All pieces may be played on any of these four instruments (reading either bass or treble clef). Candidates may adapt passages or transpose parts and/or accompaniments as necessary for their instrument.

For those publications marked ǂ in the syllabus, the following information is provided, to clarify:

which book(s) in the series are most appropriate for your instrumentor

any further accompaniments and/or parts that are available which may prevent the need for transposition

Winners Galore [Grades 1 & 2]

For Bb tuba players reading treble clef, four of the set pieces are to be found in the ‘Winners Galore for Trumpet and Trombone – accompaniment book’ which would be more suitable than the tuba accompaniment book: Grade 1, A6 Trad. Russian Dance Grade 1, B8 Rendall & Thomas Birdie Song Grade 2, A6 Mozart Aria Grade 2, B5 Goodall Blackadder Theme

for Bb tuba players reading treble clef – ‘1st Recital Series for Bb Bass TC/BC’* *The Eb Bass and Bb Bass books also contain bass-clef parts; however, Eb and Bb tuba players reading bass clef are recommended to use the ‘Tuba’ book as this avoids any need for transposition.

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